The City Commission voted unanimously Feb. 24 to approve an intent to award a construction contract to replace a damaged inlet valve at the West Water Reclamation Facility. City staff said the valve was damaged during Hurricane Ian and the repair is estimated at roughly $600,000; staff expects to pursue FEMA reimbursement that could cover about 75% of eligible costs.

City Manager Kevin Sweet told the commission the city will issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) for longer‑term operation and maintenance of wastewater facilities within about two weeks, and that the current operating contract runs through Sept. 30, 2025. Sweet said the new RFQ will be structured so the city operates lift stations and public-facing assets in‑house (outside the treatment-fence), while contracted vendors would operate the treatment plants themselves.

Separately, the meeting included extended discussion of enforcement correspondence from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Commissioner Mark Caruso said a consent order issued Oct. 1, 2024 gives the city 739 days to construct a wastewater treatment facility, and he asked that the commission be formally briefed on the city’s submitted response. Caruso said a warning letter dated Jan. 24, 2025 appeared to revise or follow the earlier consent order and asked why the commission had not received the documents earlier. He said, “It is imperative that our response is reviewed with the commission immediately.”

City Manager Sweet acknowledged the commission should have been kept better informed and committed to providing the documents; he also said attorneys and staff are negotiating technical points with FDEP. Commissioners and staff agreed to hold a dedicated wastewater workshop to provide background, timeline and options; commissioners set a tentative date of March 13 for a morning workshop focused on wastewater (facility planning, timelines, funding and technology), with separate later workshops planned for stormwater and potable water.

Motion and vote: Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick moved to approve the agenda item to award the inlet‑valve replacement contract; Commissioner Sarah Baker seconded. The item passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Commissioners emphasized that enforcement correspondence, facility construction timelines and the operations contract all affect the city’s regulatory exposure, finances and schedule for infrastructure upgrades. The consent order timeline and any associated penalties are being negotiated with FDEP; staff said some enforcement actions have been put on a slower track by DEP while technical discussions continue.

Ending: The commission approved the immediate repair work and directed staff to release the RFQ for plant operations, provide the FDEP correspondence and hold a March 13 workshop to brief the commission and the public on wastewater planning and next steps.